Ads target secondhand smoke
Tobacco settlement funds pay for spots emphasizing dangers
Although Kathlyn Loughlin has never smoked a cigarette in her life, she suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, a respiratory disease typically found in smokers.
There is no doubt in her mind about how she contracted the disease.
"Definitely from my dad and husband," both of whom were lifelong smokers, the 61-year-old Waikiki resident said.
"My dad was a smoker until he passed away, and then I got married at 22 and my husband died 13 years ago," she added. "He had tried to stop smoking and just could not do it. He eventually died of COPD."
Loughlin is one of two local residents featured in new television ads, produced by the state, that aim to warn people about the effects of secondhand smoke.
She joined Gov. Linda Lingle and U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona yesterday to unveil the new spots.
"If I can get the message out to one person, it's well worth it," she said.
State Health Director Chiyome Fukino said smoking prevention was a major theme of the administration. The ads, which combined cost less than $25,000, were funded using money from the landmark tobacco lawsuit settlement with states, health officials said.
"These are very, very powerful ads, and we hope that they will educate and motivate people in our community to stop smoking," Fukino said.
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said anti-smoking efforts have helped Hawaii become one of the top states in terms of reducing the number of residents who smoke, an effort applauded by the surgeon general.
"This is a model that needs to be replicated across the country," Carmona said.